Bleacher Report released a list of a Vikings all-time roster for a Madden simulation, and in my opinion, the list was mostly fair.
Fran Tarkenton and Daunte Culpepper are great choices for quarterback, and I’m glad that between the Patriots and the Vikings, Minnesota got Randy Moss on its roster.
However, there were some notable players left off the list, so here are some players that should have made the team.
Guard Steve Hutchinson
Hutchinson was mostly part of a Vikings era that was good, not great. From Brad Johnson to Donovan McNabb, Hutchinson was a good blocker who often had to deal with poor quarterback play.
However, he was still a guard for Brett Favre, who brought the Vikings to the NFC Championship. He also blocked for the likes of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
Guard Ed White earned his share of accolades, and even praise from opposing players, but I think Hutchinson and Randall McDaniel, who is on the list, would be unstoppable at guard for an all-time Minnesota team. It’s hard to compare eras, but I think Hutchinson should have gotten the nod over White.
Defensive end Jared Allen
Allen only played six seasons with the Vikings, but the defensive end gave opposing offensive lines plenty of trouble in his time with Minnesota.
Allen had three seasons where he had at least 14.5 sacks, including one where he had 22. Those numbers are too good to pass up. Everson Griffen is a great player, but the most sacks he had in a season was 13.
Griffen should be remembered fondly by Vikings fans, despite his announced departure from the team this offseason. I just think Allen is so good he takes Griffen’s place on the list.
Kicker Ryan Longwell
This choice was the toughest one for me on the list. Dan Bailey is coming off a great season, but that’s really his biggest contribution to the team so far. I think Longwell or Gary Anderson should be considered instead of Bailey.
The tough part was deciding between Anderson and Longwell. Look, I get it, Anderson missed a kick when the team needed him the most against the Falcons in the 1998 NFC Championship, but he also made 100% of his field goals that season (which, as an aside, definitely made that miss feel worse). He also had a year for the Vikings where he made 95% of his kicks.
However, Anderson’s devastating miss against the Falcons, in addition to when he made just over 63% of his field goals in the season after the 1998 miss, helped Longwell get the nod over him.
Longwell had five consecutive seasons where he made at least 83% of his field goals for the Vikings. Sure, he fell off slightly in his final season with the team, making just over 78% of his field goals, but the consistency and the fact that clutch kicks matter, give Longwell the edge over Anderson.
